MUNCIE, Ind. — Before you reread these stories, make sure you have a box of tissues close.
The following stories published in 2017 are tearjerkers, from an 87-year-old man caring for his wife with dementia to a local store manager whose life was forever changed by a grueling attack.
Here are the stories that made us cry this year.
Who attacked the Rural King manager, and why?
Rural King manager Greg Collett was at work when a man brutally attacked him with a cane. It would change Collett's life forever. He survived, but the extent of his injuries would make "survived" a loose term. His family said he was a different person after the incident, like a stranger.
After The Star Press reported the story, city police tracked down a Wayne County man they said attacked Collett.
Ex-Central coach cares for wife with dementia
This was the love story of the year. Berlin Rowe, a former Central basketball coach, took his wedding vows to heart. Ruth, his wife of 68 years, was diagnosed with dementia almost five years ago and recently suffered a stroke. She shows no sign of knowing who her husband is.
Yet, every morning, promptly at 9, he arrives at her assisted living facility, keeping the love of his life company and caring for her as she needs.
For Hollywood: Whitford, Ball State players push forward
Tragedy struck the Ball State basketball team this year as one of its own, Zach Hollywood, took his own life. The Star Press sat down with head coach James Whitford, who shared how his players were working to move forward after such a devastating loss.
(In wins against both then-No. 9 Notre Dame and in-state opponent Valparaiso, Tayler Persons made reference to Hollywood on Twitter for his game-winning shots.)
In aftermath of tragedy, Wes-Del teacher lifted up by football team — and vice versa
In an early June morning, Alex Cullum called his family to warn them he had crashed his van into a utility pole. But when first responders arrived, they found Alex had been fatally shocked by a stray electrical wire.
During the football season following the tragedy, Wes-Del's community honored the memory of the former lineman turned middle school coach. Alex's old number, 56, proved to be quite significant in that.
Family leans on dog’s love when cancer strikes
The Bryants didn't choose their dog, Riley. Riley chose them. And it was good that Riley did because the dog played an important role in helping the family get through when Bill Bryant, a father and husband, died of prostate cancer in 2015.
Caleb Kunkle is determined to walk again
Jay County graduate Caleb Kunkle still faced effects one year after a car crash paralyzed him from the mid-chest down. But with every wobbly step he takes while clinging to the parallel bars that help him with rehabilitation, his family sees it as one step closer to walking again.